"La Grande Chaise"

“La Grande Chaise” is a sculptural piece around the armchair typology. A new way of thinking/making designs is emerging as traditional chair making knowledge is getting empowered by digital tools taken from the high end industries.
“La Grande Chaise” is amongst those designs, a constant research to get a thinner wood shell is achieved through generative design. The armchair’s ergonomics were the most important aspect as it had to be achieved by using only one material: Wood. The design was readjusted to provide comfort for most body types and proved to be a success as it was tested by several people of different shapes and sizes.
Finishing is a reference to the traditional “ebonizing” techniques whereby the natural tannins present in the wood react to the acid and turn black. Rib design informed by generative design, is led by careful placement of matter along the forces within the chair, reaching beauty by consequence.